HI all, I’m making a game about Prometheus (the Titan who stole fire from the gods) assigning you, the player, a quest to “steal fire” from each of the 12 Olympian gods (e.g. mastery of the seas from Poseidon). I’m trying to decide whether to stick with side scrolling (where I’m comfortable in designing tilesets and player characters for) or go with top down (meaning having to learn how to design 8-way walking/attack/etc. animations and top-down tilesets)
I’m leaning more towards sticking with side-scrolling (since that is much easier for me), but what do you all think?
edit: The game will probably be a mix of exploration, puzzles, and a bit of action as well (e.g. fighting enemies, boss fights maybe?)
I’m thinking of adding lots of different symbols and references to interesting ancient greek myths I’ve read (e.g. how Persephone has to go between Hades and Demeter, causing a period of poor harvests when Demeter isn’t with her daughter)
Also, the art will be pixel art as that’s what I’m most comfortable with
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Why not both? Maybe some levels have you jumping and climbing on a side scroll, others are a top down, missile dodging stage.
That kind off decision really should come from the gameplay mechanics you want to incorporate. I’d say the only reason to pick now would be to limit scope and stick with your comfort zone. I’d encourage you to not decide right now, but try to make the roughest prototypes you can of each, trying to establish the base of your gameplay loop in each “orientation” and then compare the two and see which has the feel you want to go for
Side scroll for pc, top down for mobile.
That’s how I prefer things
How do you feel about isometric level designs with a z axis? (Think Zomboid, if you’re familiar)
Never made a game that’s isometric, so that would be equally, if not more, difficult than top-down.
If you’re asking for what people would prefer to play when all’s said and done, personally, I prefer at least a top down perspective for the kind of gameplay it sounds like would go well with the story and idea you’ve mentioned.
But, yes. It’s a bit more work. Entirely different level design, besides the extra animation assets for the new directions. So if you are asking for a better starting point to learn, it might be better to make it a side-scrolling style game.
Without more information about what your goals are, I’d do side scrolling. Assuming it’s like a platformer. If you’re making like an RPG or tactical combat game, probably top down.
ok, I’ve edited my post to add a few more details about the game! It will be pixel art and will be a mix of exploration and puzzles, and possibly action (fighting the gods and their underlings). It will have lots of different references to ancient Greek myths and legends in the decorations, puzzles, etc.
A metroidvania a la celeste, cave story, untitled story, hollow knight, nine sols, guacamelee? That’s a genre I like that’s pretty popular. Side scroller for that kind of game is well understood.
